A group of Grade 12 students from Manila Science High School has developed an innovative robot designed to assist in emergency response by mapping safe routes for search and rescue teams.
Their invention, the Search and Rescue Lidar Integrated and Autonomous Mapping (SLINAM) robot, is a fully automated system capable of scanning and mapping disaster-hit areas in real time. It was recently featured in the “Game Changer” segment of 24 Oras.
“This robot can improve disaster preparedness and help rescuers navigate dangerous environments, particularly in areas filled with debris,” said Kazuya Mori, one of the developers.
Fellow developer Jose Xavier Cruz explained that SLINAM minimizes risks by providing a detailed overview of the affected area before responders enter. “It gives rescuers a better understanding of the terrain, reducing the hazards they face,” he added.
SLINAM uses lidar technology to scan surroundings and relay data to a mapping system, which identifies which areas are safe to pass. The system applies a color-coded scheme, marking gray areas as passable and black areas as blocked.
The project earned third place in a regional science and technology competition last year. Mori shared that their goal was to challenge themselves by exploring an advanced technology that remains relatively untapped in the Philippines.
